Description

The golden eagle is a large bird of prey, male bird measuring 75 to 90 cm in length and weighing 2,800 to 4,500 grams.
The female eagle is larger than the male and weighs 3,600 to 6,600 grams. The wingspan is 190 to 230 cm. These eagle species generally have dark brown plumage. The back of the crown and nape region usually has golden-brown plumage. The bill is dark at the tip, fading into lighter horn color. The bare portion of the feet are yellow. Their call is a high, shrill sound.

Habitat

Feeding habits

The golden eagle species feed on birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians and medium sized mammals like rodents, rabbits and hares.

Breeding

The golden eagle breeding season depends upon the range and is usually from March to August. These eagle species nest on cliffs and large trees. The nest is a large platform, built with sticks and twigs.

Distribution

The golden eagle subspecies A. c. chrysaetos is distributed in Europe and Siberia. The subspecies A. c. homeyeri is distributed in North Africa, Mediterranean region, Middle East, Arabia, Iran and Uzbekistan. The subspecies A. c. daphanea is distributed in Central Asia, Central China and north Indian subcontinent. The golden eagle subspecies A. c. kamtschatica is distributed in Siberia and East Russia. The subspecies A. c. japonica is distributed in Japan and Korea. The subspecies A. c. canadensis is distributed in North America.

Movement Patterns

The golden eagle species are mostly sedentary. The eagle populations in the northern regions may move southwards in search of feed in the winter.

Status and conservation

The golden eagle global population is estimated to number more than 170,000 birds. These species have an extremely large range and are considered least vulnerable. Poisoning, persecution, trapping, loss of habitat, use of certain pesticides, electrocution from power lines, collision with the wind turbines and long term changes in food supply are the major threats to the survival of these eagle species.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated these eagle species and has listed them as of "Least Concern".

Biological classification of Aquila chrysaetos

Kingdom:

Animalia

Phylum:

Chordata

Class:

Aves

Order:

Accipitriformes

Family:

Accipitridae

Subfamily:

-

Genus:

Aquila

Species:

A. chrysaetos

Binomial name:

Aquila chrysaetos

Distribution:

Europe, Asia, Indian subcontinent, Africa, the Middle East, North America;